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Archive for the ‘drones’ category: Page 74

Jan 6, 2021

Convex to concave: More metasurface moiré results in wide-range lens

Posted by in categories: computing, drones, engineering, mobile phones, particle physics, virtual reality

The odd, wavy pattern that results from viewing certain phone or computer screens through polarized glasses has led researchers to take a step toward thinner, lighter-weight lenses. Called moiré, the pattern is made by laying one material with opaque and translucent parts at an angle over another material of similar contrast.

A team of researchers from Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, TUAT, in Japan have demonstrated that moiré metalenses—tiny, patterned lenses composed of artificial ‘meta’ atoms—can tune along a wider range than previously seen. They published their results on November 23 in Optics Express.

“Metalenses have attracted a lot of interest because they are so thin and lightweight, and could be used in ultra-compact imaging systems, like future smart phones, virtual reality goggles, drones or microbots,” said paper author Kentaro Iwami, associate professor in the TUAT Department of Mechanical Systems Engineering.

Jan 5, 2021

This Drone Sniffs Out Odors With a Real Moth Antenna

Posted by in categories: chemistry, cyborgs, drones, neuroscience

“It’s all thanks to the sacrifice of the hawk moth Manduca sexta, which is an extremely sensitive smeller, like other moths. When a moth picks up a scent, like that of a flower or a potential mate, the odors bind to proteins inside the antennae, and these proteins in turn activate neurons dedicated to specific chemicals. That means the antennae are producing electrical signals that researchers can tap into. In order to create a sort of moth-drone cyborg, mechanical engineer Melanie Anderson of the University of Washington cold-anesthetized a hawk moth in a freezer before removing its antennae. Then she cut both ends off of a single antenna and attached each to an itty-bitty wire hooked up to an electrical circuit. “A lot like a heart monitor, which measures the electrical voltage that is produced by the heart when it beats, we measure the electrical signal produced by the antenna when it smells odor,” says Anderson, lead author on a recent paper in the journal Bioinspiration and Biomimetics describing the research. “And very similarly, the antenna will produce these spike-shaped pulses in response to patches of odor.””


Researchers slap a living antenna on a drone to give the machine an insanely keen sense of smell. Ladies and gentlemen, meet the “Smellicopter.”

Jan 4, 2021

Trapping light without back reflections

Posted by in categories: computing, drones

Researchers demonstrate a new technique for suppressing back reflections of light—better signal quality for sensing and information technology.

Microresonators are small glass structures in which light can circulate and build up in intensity. Due to material imperfections, some amount of light is reflected backwards, which is disturbing their function.

Continue reading “Trapping light without back reflections” »

Jan 4, 2021

Meet Joe, the drone that herds cattle (or camels)

Posted by in categories: business, drones

Two Israeli cowboys introduce drone technology to save time and manpower in the rugged business of cattle (or camel) ranching.

Jan 4, 2021

Canadian researchers investigate drone delivery of medical supplies to remote communities during the pandemic

Posted by in categories: biotech/medical, drones, health, robotics/AI

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV), commonly referred to as drones, may prove to be a valuable tool in the battle against pandemics like COVID-19. Researchers at the University of Calgary, the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT), Alberta Health Services (AHS) and Alberta Precision Laboratories (APL) are partnering with the Stoney Nakoda Nations (SNN) to deliver medical equipment and test kits for COVID-19 to remote areas, and to connect these communities to laboratories more quickly using these remotely piloted aircraft.

Access for all

“We know that testing for COVID-19 is one of our most effective tools against its spread. Many remote communities in Canada do not have easy access to testing centres and medical supplies to support rapid testing and containment. Drones can help us respond to that need,” says Dr. John Conly, MD, medical director of the W21C Research and Innovation Centre at the Cumming School of Medicine (CSM) and co-principal investigator on the project.

Jan 3, 2021

Google’s Wing warns new drone laws ‘may have unintended consequences’ for privacy

Posted by in category: drones

Since when did Google/Alphabet care about privacy? “Google (technically, Alphabet) isn’t too happy about those new rules, as it turns out. The company’s drone delivery subsidiary Wing wrote a somewhat fearmongering post (via Reuters) titled “Broadcast-Only Remote Identification of Drones May Have Unintended Consequences for American Consumers,” which argues that the FAA’s decision to have drones broadcast their location might let observers track your movements, figuring out where you go, where you live, and where and when you receive packages, among other examples.”


Google isn’t too happy about the new FAA Remote ID rules for drones. Alphabet subsidiary Wing wrote a post titled “Broadcast-Only Remote Identification of Drones May Have Unintended Consequences for American Consumers,” arguing your privacy may be at stake.

Dec 30, 2020

Indonesian Fisherman Caught What Appears To Be A Chinese Underwater Drone

Posted by in category: drones

The craft matches an underwater glider that China builds, which is capable of traveling for weeks and over huge distances.

Dec 29, 2020

FAA finally sets rules for piloting small drones

Posted by in category: drones

All drones weighing over a quarter kilogram will need Remote ID transmitters.

Dec 26, 2020

This System Lets You Fly a Drone With Arm Gestures

Posted by in categories: drones, electronics

A video uploaded by the CSAIL team shows off the system. The drone pilot is able to maneuver a small drone through a series of rings easily just by twisting, raising, and lowering his forearm thanks to a device strapped around his arm.

The goal is to make controlling the drone — and potentially other pieces of technology — as natural as possible by harnessing human intuition.

Continue reading “This System Lets You Fly a Drone With Arm Gestures” »

Dec 23, 2020

Drone discovers incapacitated woman in surf, leads to rescue

Posted by in category: drones

It started as a regular, recreational drone flight. It ended with the rescue of a woman who was lying motionless on the beach. #dronesforgood

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